THERE were tears and emotion as cyclists taking on an 800-mile ride in memory of River Cottage chef Philippa Corbin reached their destination.

The group of 28 riders left the River Cottage Canteen in Axminster on October 13 and arrived at the slow food festival Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy on Thursday.

The Slow Ride to Turin was in memory of Philippa, also known as Pip, who took her own life in January 2011, aged 27, while suffering from depression.

Philippa’s sister Maddy was among the cyclists, and her parents Pam and Hugh were part of the support team.

So far the team has raised more than £38,500 for The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust and the Human Givens Foundation, both helping sufferers of depression.

Speaking on the group’s website, Pam said it had been ‘inspirational’ and an ‘extraordinary journey’.

On their final day, the cyclists started with a steep six-mile climb to the summit of the Col Du Mont Cenis in the French Alps, where the support crew were waiting.

Pam said: “I sat, sun on my back, beside a mountain-side yellow shuttered chapel to watch the cyclists steadily pedal their way to the top.”

Sponsor the team and watch videos at slowridetoturin.co.uk